Initial fears that ModNation Racers is simply a rehashed version of Mario Kart, with some additional customisation options, will be dispelled the moment you switch on your console. The opportunity to create and easily share your own completely custom content with an online community is a wonderful addition to a karting game. But more than that, the incredibly competitive AI makes for a very real challenge in the single player mode, providing a game that can be enjoyed both on and offline.
Graphically, ModNation Racers provides a cartoony look and feel to characters, karts and scenery. A good sense of humour adds to the overall appeal, with a wonderfully stereotyped villain and generally amusing spoof car adverts. Your racing will be interspersed with high quality cut-scenes telling the story as your created character progresses from the bottom of the league, to a world champion.
Familiar karting gameplay standards are clearly visible within ModNation Racers, with a clear emphasis on drifting, and many a boost or power-up available to keep up the constant action. Unlike Mario Kart where you are only able to hold and use one power-up, in ModNation Racers you can actually enhance your abilities by waiting to collect more than one of the same power-up. What’s more, you will earn points for every successful drift and mid-air spin that your kart achieves in a race. These points will contribute toward a power bar, which can add more abilities to your repertoire, such as a speed boost, a temporary shield or even the ability to sideswipe one of your opponents.
The many different boosts, abilities and even the range of karts in a race make this kart racing game one of the most advanced options on the market today in its genre. The different tracks are packed full of shortcuts, suitably long corners to perfect your drifting and large jumps for your array of stunts. The combined elements may make the game seem somewhat overwhelming at the outset, but after the tutorial race you will find yourself familiar with the majority of different attributes available in your karting.
The single player career mode is an excellent introduction to the game and will guarantee plenty of fun and challenge, but it is in the multiplayer modes that ModNation Racers really shines. With a four player split screen option for you and your nearest and dearest, or the opportunity to play online in a 12-way battle, there is lots to enjoy. Online play offers both ranked and casual matches to help you find a suitable skill level for your gaming.
The online abilities of the game don’t stop with racing against each other though, because the incredible customised content created on your own console can easily be made accessible to the rest of the community. Create your own characters, karts and even tracks in a matter of minutes to add endless options to your gaming. Or if you aren’t feeling creative, why not take advantage of some creations from another player?
ModNation Racers certainly isn’t just another karting game. Enticing and accessible custom creation features add many hours to the gameplay of the already excellent single player story mode. This is certainly one of the best karting games to arrive on the scene for some time, and is a title that any players of any skill level will enjoy.